Stephen Loman looking for clean shot knockout against Yusup Saadulaev

Team Lakay star Stephen Loman is all set to make his ONE Championship debut at ONE: Winter Warriors. The Filipino fighter will be going up against #3-ranked Yusup Saadulaev at the event in a Bantamweight contest and has the opportunity to break into the ONE Bantamweight rankings if he secures a win.

Ahead of his debut, speaking to ONE Championship, Loman said that he is feeling confident about his bout against Saadulaev.

“I’m certainly confident, and I’m motivated cause this is another challenge for me. I’m facing the best of the division right away in Saadulaev. I honestly thought I was going to start at the bottom of the rankings, so I was surprised to see [the matchmakers] lining up all the contenders. I really have to be at my best. That streak gives me the confidence that I can hang with anybody,” Loman noted.

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He further went on to add that he sees weakness in Saadulaev when it comes to the Dagestani’s stand-up game.

“I think his weakness is in the stand-up game. I’m not looking past it, though. I believe that his stand-up looks good, but if I go toe-to-toe with him, I know I can beat him there. Where he’s really strong is his wrestling and grappling. We’ve seen that in his past fights, he’s been choking his opponents left and right, and that’s something I have to prepare for,” The Team Lakay star added.

When asked about his thoughts on whether he will be looking for a knockout, Loman said that it is indeed the plan.

“That’s the plan. I’ll be looking for a clean shot. I’ll be using my movements. He’s a southpaw like me, so I really have to be careful when looking for that clean shot. However, if there’s a chance for me, whether on the feet or even on the ground, I’ll take it,” Loman concluded.

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Currently holding a professional record of 14-2 to his name, Loman is riding high on an eight-fight winning streak. He will be looking to extend the same when he steps into the ONE Circle to make his promotional debut at ONE: Winter Warriors 2 which airs on December 17, 2021.

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